Stations open despite strike

2:40pm Thursday 7th August 2008

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NO underground stations have closed on a section of a tube line hit by strikes today despite staff shortages.

Some stations have been left without any employees but Metropolitan Line trains are still going to all stops between North Harrow and Rickmansworth, where workers staged a walk out this morning.

Transport for London (TfL) will be moving employees who are not on strike from stop to stop so no none will be completely unstaffed for the entire day.

Members of the RMT, a union representing rail workers, have been picketing in a row over plans to send workers to Baker Street and Paddington, in central London.

Tracey O’Brien, a spokesman for TfL, said five people are being moved from stations where there are enough staff to areas where there are too few.

She said: "We are disappointed that the RMT have voted in favour of strike action as it serves no purpose whatsoever.”

TfL is obliged to close certain stations if they are not properly staffed, for health and safety reasons, but Ms O’Brien said the ones affected today can be kept open despite the shortages.